512gb usb memory stick only showing 460gb

Yep as @steve108 says.

Technically a gigabyte is 1000x1000x1000 bytes but for historic reasons Windows called a gigabyte 1024x1024x1024 bytes

So the disk vendors are being a bit disengenuous taking advantage of this in marketing knowing they are strictly right and Windows is wrong (and they cannot be accused of false information)

They rely on fact that most people do not understand this.

Cerawy said:

Also, my ssd is a 512gb ssd, but it still shows a capacity of 476gb.

Totally normal, what don`t you understand ?
Did you read this entire thread ? It was explained.
For example, look at a 1TB drive, it will say it has 1000GB right on the label. But a 1TB drive is only 931GB in windows.

Gurn Blanston said:

The missing 16 GB may be explained by Sandisk security and password software, if so equipped. My Sandisk USB stick lost a little bit of space due to these files.

Yes, i was thinking something similar might be the reason for the missing 16gb. Is there someway to get rid of it, so it can be brought back to 476gb, the same amount as my ssd?

Cerawy said:

I just checked in disk management. It only seems to have one partition. I also tried to check view hidden files and folders in windows, but i don't see any folders besides the one's that im using.

You may have to look at it in a program like Minitools Partition Wizard (free).
Sandisk has been adding stupid (IMO) software on USB sticks as long as I can remember.

If you look up the "exact" make and model, and read the fine print... you will probably see this mentioned.
I just looked at 512GB Sandisk Flash drive at Best Buy... it has some... encryption software.



One of the reasons I always buy Corsair and PNY sticks, is that they don't "add stuff" to the USB stick.

I do have one Sandisk USB stick (16GB), which had some software on it. I think all I did was right click it, in File Explorer and choose: FAT32 - quick format... and it removed the software.

Cerawy,

I think none of us know the full story. The 1000/1024 units conversion is not the whole story; it does not explain what you are seeing and it does not explain what I see on all my USB sticks.
- For example, my SanDisk "400GB" MicroSD cards both report 366GB in Windows [with no contents, with or without reformatting]. The 1000/1024 units conversion story, on its own, would indicate that I'd see 373GB.

In the UK, we no longer have a Chat facility with SanDisk but you do [judging by your timezone].

Chat with a member of our support team(For US residents ONLY)
SanDisk Live Chat
Monday - Friday: 08:00 AM - 06:45 PM PST

Perhaps you could ask them what is going on beyond the 1000/1024 units conversion story [and some minor? loss for the hidden file system data].

I've just submitted a question to SanDisk by email instead:-

Try3 said:

My "400GB" MicroSD card [‎SDSQUA4-400G-GN6MA] shows in Windows 10 as 366GB.
I know about the GiB/GB conversion but that would indicate that my card would be reported by Windows as 375GB.
What accounts for the difference?

Do post back with whatever you learn from them and I'll do the same.

All the best,
Denis